Orford Declares his five-eighth partner

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Knockout combo
ADAM LUCIUS
28feb06

MANLY halfback Matt Orford has all but ended the debate on who should partner him at the scrumbase, declaring Michael Monaghan the perfect fit at five-eighth.

Monaghan, who is involved in a three-way shoot-out with Michael Witt and Travis Burns for the No 6 jersey, did his chances no harm with a strong performance alongside Orford in Saturday's 42-18 trial win over the Tigers.

The former Manly skipper spent time at first receiver and dummy half and worked well with Orford, who was quick to praise his new partner.

``We've had a good off-season together and we're working well,'' Orford said after the match.

``The combination went well and we had half a game last week together.

``The more we play together the better we will be.

``I didn't expect us to go that well, I'm pretty happy.''

Monaghan was equally effusive, predicting the embryonic partnership would flourish after a few more matches together.

``We'd only played half an hour together (before Saturday) but we'd work pretty well during the off-season and there were some good signs at the weekend,'' he said.

``There is a fair way to go but I think it could work out well the more we play together.

``I'm happy to play at six (five-eighth) or nine (hooker) ... I don't mind as long I'm in the 17 there somewhere.''

The Sea Eagles were impressive in disposing of a disappointing Tigers outfit before a crowd of just over 8000 at Brookvale Oval.

But Orford admitted his own game - and that of the team's - still needed work ahead of the season kick-off against Canberra on Saturday week.

``I didn't want to do too much out there,'' he said.

``I just need to be patient and play my hand when it was needed, just sit back and let the guys do the work and play some good structure.

``The more patient I can be the better it will be for my game.

``Once we play together a bit more the combinations will come.''

 

[Matabele]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[byso]

Come on Mata you know he's the best 5/8 option

 

[sullyfan]

I'm confident that Witty will still be the 5/8th.

 

[ManlyBacker]

Decisions, decisions. Like any beast of burden, the Ox may end up having to carry the load.

 

[Fluffy]

you would think he would know who would go best with himself.

I still get this shiver up my spine that it will be Witt.

 

[Ryan]

IMO Michael Monaghan @ 5/8 is by far the best option the club has on a number of fronts Mata. Those being:-

1. Matt Ballin (a specialist HOOKER) can play Hooker. Not a make shift Hooker that plays 1/2 back or 5/8.
2. Monnas WANTS to play 5/8, so will make an extra effort to play in the role.
3. Matt Ballin in the team means Dunley can have more of an impact role.
4. If the move works out, we can get Lyon to play in the centres. Bell / Lyon will be the best centre pairing in the NRL.
5. All players can then play their SPECIALISED positions.
6. Witt isn't 1st grade standard yet. Monaghan is.

By the way..I HOPE Witt fullfils his great potential. I rate him as a player...but needs to get his confidence back.

 

[Guest]

On the brightside if Monnas plays 5/8 then it means that ballin and Dunley will be the hookers.

 

[KaZa]

Well said Ryan.

I think the choice Des will be making is... is Burns/Witt better than Ballin?

If he does think Ballin is gthat good and rates him then he wil have to play Monas at 5/8. Witt not impressing in PL surely cannot be an option.. although thats why some of us think he will be a shock selection i guess.

 

[Stevie]

Only Place Witt should Be playing 5/8 is at Castleford

 

[Canteen Worker]

Only Place Witt should Be playing 5/8 is at Castleford

The Combined Stevie/Mata team at Castleford is Monaghan at 1/2 and Witt at 5/8!

:blaugh: :blaugh:


:bdh:

 

[Stevie]

Mona's is Andrew Johns Compared to Witt

 

[PJ]

I'm sorry but I'm not buying into all this Monas crap- no way is he a 5/8 and the fact that the then sooky captain of the club flicked last years presentation for a holiday with a bunch of US college students on their Spring Break should be indication enough of his loyalty levels- bottom line he is on 240,000 and that is a disgrace!!!
Hopefully Burns or Witt lift their game (atleast they can both kick for goal) and we can work with a long term option be it we get a new 5/8 down the track or not, they would be good back up.
I will gladly eat my words if necessary but from my point of view Monas has done nothing special to date...I would be mystified as to why the club has persisted with him but 240,000 reasons keep popping into my head!

 

[byso]

Monas for 5/8. Looks like the only people saying otherwise haven't seen them play together.

 

[Canteen Worker]

I am obviously in the minority but I thought that Monas shone at hooker and was average at 5/8 getting in Orford's Rd, going to dummy half etc. He still struggles to pass to one side.

His running and defence at hooker were good though Ballin is a great option.

I am keen to include a kicker who isn't Willo, Hicks or Orford.

 

[PJ]

Yeah- I haven't seen them play together and will admit I just don't like the whole situation.
I am aware there is nothing that can be done about this and am sorry if it all seems negative and won't harp on about it.
I just hope for the good of the Eagles he has had an attitude re-adjustment and gels with Orford if that ends up having to be the case I will gladly eat my words.
I won't say anymore on the subject except for maybe 'I told you so' a bit further down the track.

 

[Ryan]

Isn't Ballin the kicker in Premier League when Witt isn't in the team?

 

[Canteen Worker]

PJ to be fair his attitude was great on thw weekend, he was looking for work. I have been told by someone in the know that his approach to the new season and BK at Skipper has been positive and he has been one of the best trainers.

I am prepared to give him a go!!!!

 

[Ryan]

Yeah- I haven't seen them play together and will admit I just don't like the whole situation.
I am aware there is nothing that can be done about this and am sorry if it all seems negative and won't harp on about it.
I just hope for the good of the Eagles he has had an attitude re-adjustment and gels with Orford if that ends up having to be the case I will gladly eat my words.
I won't say anymore on the subject except for maybe 'I told you so' a bit further down the track.

I already have eaten my words. I thought Monaghan wasn't up to scratch before the trials, but subsequently have been very surprised. He's better than Witt / Burns. I'll tell you that as fact.

 

[Fluffy]

Isn't Ballin the kicker in Premier League when Witt isn't in the team?

Burns was the kicker for much of the season

Ballin was back up

He kicked in the first trial - we only really need him to be able to kick from the right side, orford is fine on the left